Headed to the Big Apple
<p>Washington State guard Klay Thompson, left, controls a rebound from teammate DeAngelo Casto during the first half against Northwestern in the quarterfinals of the NIT on Wednesday in Pullman.</p>
PULLMAN - Klay Thompson scored 17 points, Brock Motum 13 as Washington State defeated Northwestern 69-66 in the quarterfinals of the NIT on Wednesday night before 5,905 at Friel Court.
Washington State (22-12) advances to the semifinals to face Wichita State (27-8) on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in New York.
DeAngelo Casto, who was reinstated shortly before the game after being suspended when he was cited for marijuana possession, scored 11 points for WSU.
Athletic director Bill Moos said new information has prompted him to lift the suspension that was imposed on Casto on Tuesday.
Moos did not detail the new information.
Moos said there are unique circumstances in this case and the best path is to allow the legal system to run its course before the team takes any additional action. Casto pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Whitman County District Court.
The latest incident began early Tuesday, after WSU's win over Oklahoma State in the second round of the NIT.
A Pullman police officer was on foot patrol near an apartment complex, and noticed a screen had been removed from an apartment window. As he approached, he said he saw a man inside the apartment who appeared to be rolling a marijuana cigarette, police said.
The officer smelled marijuana when Casto answered the door, police said. Police said Casto acknowledged using the drug and handed over a small amount to the officer.
Later Tuesday, Casto was cited for misdemeanor marijuana possession and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
The charges typically involve sentences of one day in jail and a fine that usually ranges between $250 and $500.
NORTHWESTERN (20-14)
Crawford 5-14 0-0 12, Shurna 3-13 0-0 8, Mirkovic 3-3 2-2 8, Marcotullio 5-9 3-5 16, Thompson 7-19 3-3 20, Capocci 0-0 0-0 0, Cobb 0-3 0-0 0, Curletti 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 24-64 8-10 66.
WASHINGTON ST. (22-12)
Casto 5-10 1-2 11, Lodwick 1-1 0-2 3, Capers 0-3 3-4 3, Thompson 6-18 5-6 17, Moore 3-7 4-5 11, DiIorio 0-0 0-0 0, Aden 4-12 2-2 11, Motum 6-9 0-1 13, Winston Jr. 0-0 0-0 0, Enquist 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-60 15-22 69.
Halftime-Washington St. 38-31. End Of Regulation-Tied 64. 3-Point Goals-Northwestern 10-38 (Marcotullio 3-7, Thompson 3-12, Crawford 2-8, Shurna 2-10, Cobb 0-1), Washington St. 4-17 (Lodwick 1-1, Moore 1-2, Motum 1-3, Aden 1-5, Casto 0-1, Thompson 0-5). Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-Northwestern 42 (Shurna 9), Washington St. 39 (Thompson 9). Assists-Northwestern 14 (Shurna 4), Washington St. 11 (Thompson 4). Total Fouls-Northwestern 19, Washington St. 12. Technical-Northwestern Bench. A-5,905.